Measured-service telephone system



3; ERICKSON.

MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

HZZ/JTHE 3 SHEEISSHEET I.

Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 15, 1916.

J. ERICKSON.

MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.I5.1916.

Patented Aug.10,1920.

3 SHEE1S-SHEET 2.

J. ERICKSON.

MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I5, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

HIZarw UNITED STATES Parsur orrlcs.

JOHN ERICKS'ON, O13 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au 10, 1920.

Application filed. December 15, 1916. Serial No. 137,161.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ERICKSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Measured- Service Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates in general to meas ured service telephone systems and has particular reference to measured service equip ment for automatic telephone systems which may or may not include party lines. More specifically my invention provides an 1mproved substation coin collecting apparatus, or paystation, for use in systems of the above character, and having a number of novel and useful features which will be pointed out and described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of my improved automatic paystation equipment, in which the cover is cut away to expose the internal mechanism; Figs. 2 and 3 are side views of the same with the cover removed; Fig. 4 is a detail drawing showing part of the coin controlling mechanism, with the frame cut away on the line Z, Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a circuit drawing which shows the substation circuits com-v plete, and sufficient of the central office circuits to explain the operation.

Referring now'particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the back plate or base 1 formed preferably of heavy sheet metal and has a down turned rim all around to give the necessary rigidity. At the lower end of the base the coin box 4: is secured by screws 5 and 6. The various magnet coils and coin controlling apparatus are all mounted on a heavy brass plate 3 which is fastened at the bottom to the coin box 4 by means of screws 7 and 8 and at the top tothe base 1 by means of the bolt 10 and screw 9.

The coin chutes, which are of the usual skeleton construction, are cut and stamped from a single sheet of brass 13, to the form shown in F 1. This brass skeleton work is secured to the plate 3 by means of screws 14 and 15 and with its down turned edges forms the front and sides of the various chutes, the rear wall of which is of course the plate The main chute A begins just below the coin slot 16 and continues downward about one third of the distance to the coin box, at which point is located the coin controlling mechanism proper. Here the main coin chute divides into two branches, one of which,'the branch G, extends on down to the coin box, while the other branch, the branch R, is a refund chute and extends firstto the right and then downward to the refund slot 17. The over flow chute O is a branch of the main coin chute A, begins just above the point where a coin is held by the controlling mechanism, and extends downward and to the right until it joins the refund chute B. After a coin is deposited it is automatically directed into the proper channels until it is finally either collected or refunded dependent upon whether or not the desired connection is obtained.

The mechanism by which this result is accomplished is controlled by the polarized magnet comprising the coils 18, together with a double magnet comprising the coils 19 and 20. Considering first this latter magnet a d referring particularly to Fig. 4, the usual soft iron core 21- is provided at opposite ends with the pole pieces 21 and 22, which are perhaps best seen in Figs. 3 and 2, respectively, and which are attached by machine screws to the rearwardly projecting arms 11 and 12 of the plate 3. The winding space on the core 24 is divided into two equal sections by means of the middle pole piece 23. The armature 25 is controlled by the pole pieces 21 and 23 while the armature 26 is controlled by the pole pieces 22 and 23, from which it will be apparent that we have in effect two inclependent magnets, which have, however, a. common pole piece 23. These magnets will hereinafter be referred to for convenience as magnets 19 and 20. v

To the armature 25 of magnet 19 there is riveted a member 27 of peculiar configuration, whose edges are bent down at 32 and 33 and drilled to receive the pivot rod 811 In a somewhat similar manner the armature 26 is pivotally supported by the member 34, to which it is riveted. The armatures 25 and 26 are made interlocking by means of the catches 30 and 85 which are formed into grally with members 27 and 34, respectively, and whose operation will be described in detail hereinafter.

The contact springs 40 and 41 are mount ed on the frame plate 3 in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 2 and are controlled by the magnet through the medium of its armature'26 and the lever arm 42 attached thereto. The armature of magnet 19 also controls a group of contact springs, the springs 43-46, inclusive, through the medium of the downwardly extending arm 28. See Figs. 1 and 3. The contact springs 43-46, inclusive and also the contact springs -53, inclusive, are mounted 011 the bracket. 47, which is secured to the frame plate 3 by means of screws 48 and 49. The latter set of contact springs are adapted to be controlled by a deposited coin through the medium of a bushing 54, which is attached to the spring 51- and which projects into the coin slot A. The full explanation of this operation will be deferred until later.

The polarized magnet, whose coils are indicated by the reference character 18, is of the usual type and is so clearly shown in Fig. 2 that to give a detailed description would be superfluous. It may be mentioned however, that the entire magnet assembly is clamped to the frame plate 3 by means of nuts 55 and 56 and that the base 1 is recessed at 57 to provide room for the rear end of the permanent magnet and its clamping member. Additionally it should be noted that to the armature 58 of the polarized magnet there is riveted a member which comprises two arms 59 and 61. The arm 59 extends upward and to the left and is adapted to be engaged at the proper time by the arm 60 controlled by the armature 26 of magnet 19. The arm 61 extends upward and supports one end of the float arm 62, and is also provided with a tail piece which normally blocks the collect coin chute C. I will now describe the float arm 62 and its mounting, referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 4. A portion of the member 27, which as before mentioned is riveted to the armature 25, is bent downward to form an L shaped foot 29. One end of the float arm 62 is pivoted to the member 29 by means of the screw 63 and the other end, as before mentioned, is supported by the arm 61 of the polarized magnet. To provide room for the member 29 and the float arm 62 a slot 68 is cut in the frame plate 3. When the armature of the magnet 20 is in energized position the mem ber 29 projects through the slot 68 into the coin chute as shown in Fig. 4. The distance between the edges 64 and 65 of the float arm 62 is such that a coin of the proper denomination cannot pass between them down the slot C. When, however, the float arm is swung to the right (see Fig. 4) by the polarized magnet, the notch 66 is brought into alinement with the coin chute and the deposited coin is released.

In the foregoing I have described rather briefly the more essential parts of the mechanism with a view principally to making clear the preferred mechanical construction. It is thought that the detailed explanation of the cooperation of the various parts, together with the description of the circuits, can best be given by describing the operation of the device in the establishment of a connection, and after first making brief mention of the talking instrumentalitie's and the exchange equipment, such description will be proceeded with.

Referring to Fig. 5, the substation A comprises, in addition to the apparatus already described, the usual receiver R, transmitter T, switch hook H, and signaling device S. Being an automatic substation, there is also provided a calling device or impulse sender comprising the impulse springs X and the shunt springs W. This calling device is of the type in which the impulse springs are controlled by means of a finger hole dial to produce series of interruptions in the line circuit in accordance with the digits in a called number. A calling device suitable for the purpose is shown in British patent to C. G. S. Dicker, #29,654 of 1910.

The two line conductors and 81 extend to the exchange where they terminate preferably in an individual line switch or trunk selector E, of which only the two line contacts are shown herein. The line switch E may be of any approved type andis operable upon the closure of the line circuit at the substation A to extend the line conductors 80 and 81- into connection with a trunk line terminating in a numerical selector or connector switch, as the case may be, depending on the size of the exchange. For the sake of simplicity, no selector switches have been indicated in the drawing, it being assumed that the line switch E has direct access to a connector switch F which in turn has access to a group of subscribers lines one of which is the line of substation A. The connector F, like the line switch E, may be of any approved two wire type, its only essential characteristic being the provision of means whereby, upon the response of a called subscriber, the incoming line conductors are reversed as regards their connection to the windings of the line or controlling relay. Thus in Fig. 5, the line conductors 80 and 81, before terminating in the windings of the line relay LR, pass through reversing springs on the back bridge relay BER. Line, selector, and connector switches of suitable construction are shown in the U. S. Patent to Newforth, Reissue No. 13,901.

To proceed with the description of the operation, it will be assumed that the subscriber at substation A desires to obtain connection with the subscriber at substation A. Upon the removal of the receiver at substation A, a circuit is closed over which current from the exchange battery (which is normally bridged across the line .conductors 80 and 81 in series with the line relay of the line switch E) flows as follows: conductor 81, switch hook H, contact 90, impulse springs X, receiver R, transmitter T, contact springs 10 and 11, and winding of magnet 19- to line conductor 80. At this point it should be mentioned that magnets 19 and 20 are of very high resistance, preferably 5000 ohms or more each. Upon the closure of the above circuit, the magnet 19 is energized and attracts its armature 25, which is at once looked in operated position by the engagement of the catch with the catch 30 (see Fig. 4:). As a further result of the energization of magnet 19 and the attraction of its armature, the lower end of member 29 is carried through the slot 68 in the plate 8 in order to bring the right hand end ofthe float arm 62 into the path of a deposited coin. As a still further result, the contact springs and 46 are closed to prepare a circuit for magnet 20, and finally the contact springs as and 14 are closed, thereby completing a low resistance bridge across the line conductors as follows: conductor 81, switch hook H, contact 90, impulse springs X, receiver R, transmitter T, contact springs 52 and 53, and contact springs a l and 43 to line conductor 80. By

the closure of this latter circuit the line switch E is operated to extend the line conductors 80 and 81 to the line relay of an idle connector F. Although the magnet 19 is now short circuited its armature is not retract-ed because of the interlocking arrange ment with the armature of magnet 20 previously mentioned.

The fact should now be noted that the impulse springs X are short circuited by the closed contact springs 50 and 51, so that any attempt to dial the number of the wanted subscriber would be ineil'liectual. However, the calling subscriber knows that he is re quired to pay before he can call a number, and he therefore at this stage of 'the proceedings deposits a coin of the correct denomination, usually a nickel, in the coin slot 16 (Fig. 1). The coin falls by gravity down the chute A, strikes the bushing 54 and. forces it slightly to the right, and finally comes to rest between the edges Gel and of the float arm 62. in the position indicated by the dotted circle. The springs 51 and 53 are now held by the coin in their alternative position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, with the result that the short circuit of the impulse springs X is broken, and with the further result that the polarized magnet 18 (until. now short-circuited by the contact springs 52 and 53) is introduced in the line circuit. The direction of current flow in the line at this time is such that the polarized relay now merely assists the spring 100 in holding the upper end of the arm 61 against the frame plate 3. In other words the lioat arm 62 is not disturbed at this time.

The calling subscriber may now proceed to manipulate the dial of his calling device CD in accordance with the digits of the number of substation A, whereby the connector switch F is operated in the usual and well known manner to complete the desired connection, it being assumed that the line of substation A is not busy at the time. During the operation of the callingdevice the shunt springs W are closed to short circuit that portion of the substation bridge which includes the receiver, transmitter, and the polarized relay. This is the usual provision made to reduce the resistance and impedance of the line circuit during the transmission of impulses.

The connection having been completed, the coin will either be collected or refunded dependent upon whether the called subscriber answers or does not answer. Assuming that the called subscriber responds to the call, when the receiver is removed the substation A is supplied with talking current through the windings of the back bridge relay BBB. This relay is therefore energized to reverse the line conductors 80 and 81 as regards their connection to the windings of the line relay LR. Current now flows over the line circuit and through the polarized magnet 18 in reverse direction whereby the armature 58 is actuated to swing the arm 61 away from the frame plate 8. As a result of this operation the tail piece is removed from its blocking position at the entrance to the collect chute C and at the same time the left hand end of the float arm 62 is swung outward. notch 66 comes into alinement with the coin chute the deposited. coin, until now held by the edge 65, is released and under the impetus of the springs 51 and is shot into the collect chute C, whence it passes down to the coin box l.

The apparatus is now in condition for (3()]l.'6lS tl3lO11. It will be observed that upon the collection of the coin the springs 51 and 52% again come into engagement, respectively, with the springs 50 and 52. The short-circuiting of the impulse springs X by the engagement of contact springs 50 and 51 is of no particular importance just now, for the connection to the called line has already been completed. This operation then merelv prepares for a subsequent call. The (.lOSl" of contact springs 52 and 53,11owever, is of present utility in that the polarized magnet 18 is thereby removed from the talking circuit. This may be done with good effect, for the said magnet has already performed its function of collecting the coin, and it is extremely desirable to eX- As soon as the clude all unnecessary resistance and impedance from the circuit.

It will now be assumed that the called subscriber does not answer or, since the situation is the same so far as my invention is concerned, that the called line was busy when called. In either case, as soon as the calling subscriber decides that he cannot obtain the desired connection he will replace his receiver on the hook. As a result, the talking bridge including the receiver and the transmitter is broken and the connection is released by the restoration of the switches at the exchange to normal in the usual manner. When the receiver hook H reaches its lowest position a circuit is closed for the magnet 20 over the' following path: conductor 81, switch hook H, contact 91, contact springs 16 and 45, and winding of magnet 20 to the line conductor 80. The magnet 20 is of such high resistance that its inclusion in the line circuit does not interfere with the release of the automatic switches. Upon energizing, magnet 20 releases the armature of magnet 19 which latter accordingly resumes its normal position under the influence of spring 4L3. The deposited coin, which until now has been supported by the float arm 62, is refunded in the following manner: When the armature'25 is released the lower end of member 29 and also the right hand end of the float arm 62 are withdrawn from the coin chute. The coin is thus permitted to fall until it strikes the incline 102 whence it rolls down the refund chute It and out through the refund slot 17. As a further result of the release of the armature of magnet 19, the contact springs and 46 are separated, thereby breaking the circuit of magnet 20 to permit it to deenergize also,

whereupon all the apparatus will have been restored to normal condition in readiness for another call.

It will be proper here to explain the function of the arm 60 of the armature 26. Each time the magnet 20 is energized by the replacement of the receiver the arm 60 is brought into engagement with the arm 59 which is attached to the armature of the polarized magnet 18. This is done to guard.

against a possible sticking of the armature of the polarized magnet. Should the armature of the polarized magnet fail to return upon the release of the connection after a successful call the float arm 62 would be left in such a position that a coin subsequently deposited would be collected at once. All danger of this occurrence is obviated, however, inthe manner described.

It has been mentioned before that my im proved automatic paystation is adapted for use on party lines as well as on indlvidual lines and I will now describe some of the features relating to the prevention of interterial.

ference between stations on the same line. For this purpose it will be assumed that another substation, which may be similar to substation A and which I will denominate substation A is connected in bridge of the line conductors S0 and 81; and it will be assumed further thatv the subscriber thereat is engaged in conversation; whether as a calling or as a called subscriber is imma- If under these circumstances the subscriber at substation A removes his receiver to make a call, the magnet 19 at substation A, which is connected across the line by the removal of the receiver, is shunted by the low resistance talking bridge at the substation A whereby the said magnet 19 is prevented from-energizing because of its relatively high resistance. When now the subscriber deposits his nickel, the right hand end of the float arm 62 will not be in position to stop the coin and it will therefore pass directly downward until it is deflected by the tail piece into the refund chute R. Observing that his coin is at once re turned, the calling subscriber will listen in his receiver. Although the current flowing through the magnet 19 is so small that the transmitter T is unable to appreciably affect the line current, still it magnetizes the receiver It sufficiently to render it sensitive to the voice currents passing through the small condenser 92, whereby the subscriber at substation A is able to discern that the line is in use. He will thereupon hang up his receiver and wait a reasonable interval before attempting to call again. If an absolute lockout is desired evidently the condenser 92 may be omitted.

Another condition will now be assumed namely, that the subscriber at substation A has removed his receiver to initiate a call and has deposited a coin but has not yet operated his calling device. If now the subscriber at substation A should remove his receiver, the magnet 19 at the latter substation will be shunted as before and prevented from energizing. It will be noticed that the shunt path in this case includes the polarized magnet 18 at substation A but this magnet is of comparatively low resistance, preferably not over 100 ohms. Suppose now that the subscriber at substation A begins to operate his calling device.

Although the impulse springs are shunted.

by the magnet 19 at substation A, this magnet is of such high resistance and impedance that its effect on the interruptions of the line circuit produced by the calling device is practically m'l. While as above stated the high impedance of magnet 19 delays the building up of current flow in its winding sufficiently to practically prevent interference with the operation of a calling dev1ce at another substation, nevertheless an impulse of current, although delayed, will pass through the magnet 19 every time the line circuit is interrupted by the calling device at substation A and the cumulative effect of successive impulses would tend to energize the said magnet were it not for special provisions designed to prevent such an 00- currence. [it each interruption of the circuit at substation A the condenser at substation A is charged over the following path: line conductor 81, switch hook H, contact 90, impulse springs X, receiver R, transmitter T, contact springs 52 and 53, condenser 93, and the winding of magnet 20 to line conductor 80. The condenser is of course discharged over the same path by the closure of the circuit following each interruption. When the armature of magnet'l9 is in retracted position the armature of magnet 20 is held quite close to its pole pieces (see Fig. 2) so that the latter armature is able to respond to the currents produced by the charging and discharging of condenser 93. It follows then that the contact springs 10 and 41 are separated momentarily every time the line circuit is interrupted at substation A to break the circuit of magnet 19 to prevent it from energizing. From these considerations it will be apparent that under no circumstances can a calling subscriber interfere with another subscriber on his own line who has already taken the line for use.

Mention will now be made of certain features tending to prevent the ill effects of misuse by the subscriber. hould a coin smaller than a nickel be deposited by accident or design, a penny or a dime for example, such coin will be at once refunded, for its diameter is less thanthe distance between the edges G l and of the float arm 62. Again should a calling subscriber deposit a second nickel while one is resting on the float arm uncollected, the second nickel will. roll off the top of the first one (by reason of the slight divergence of the coin chute A from the perpendicular) and will pass into the over flow chute O, whence it is discharged into the refund chute R.

It is well known that in ordinary two-wire systems it is necessary to hold the receiver hook down for an appreciable interval in order to permit the automatic switches to release. Since with my improved pay-station an uncollected coin is refunded immediately upon the replacement of the receiver, it might occur to an unscrupulous subscriber that after calling a number and before a response had been received he might get his nickel back by jerking the receiver hook down for an interval just long enough to accomplish the refunding of the coin but too short to release the connection. To prevent the successful issue of such an attempt, the member 29 is made wide enough so that it parallels the inclined portion of the refund chute It throughout its entire length. Assume now that the subscriber has deposited a coin and has dialed the desired number. If the receiver hook is then jerked down momentarily, the instant the hook engages its lower contact 91 the magnet 20 is energized, the armature of magnet 19 is unlocked, and the coin is released. After the coin strikes the incline 102 it rolls down rather slowly and before it has reached the vertical portion of the refund chute the magnet 19 has again energized due to the engagement of the switch hook with its upper contact. Upon the reenergization of magnet 19 the upper edge of the coin is gripped between the edge of the member 29 and the front wall of the coin chute; and the parts are so adjusted that the armature of magnet 19 under these circumstances is not attracted far enough to close'the contact springs L3 and 44. It follows that the resistance of magnet 19 is left in the line circuit, whereupon the automatic switches are released. When the subscriber replaces his receiver the circuit of magnet 19 is broken and the coin is permitted to pass down the refund chute, but the attempt to defraud the company has been defeated nevertheless, for the subscriber has not obtained his connection.

Having described my invention what I consider to be new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a telephone system, the combination with substation telephone equipment, of a device associated therewith adapted to receive a coin deposited upon the initiation of a call and to collect or refund the same dependent on whether or not the call is successful, said device comprising a coin retaining member movable at bothends, together with, automatic means for moving said member at either end separately to collect or refund the coin as occasion demands.

2. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and subscriber controlled exchange apparatus for extending a connection to a called line, of coin collecting device at the substation on the calling line, means requiring the deposit of a coin in said d vice before the exchange apparatus can be operated, a coin retaining .member movable at both. ends, and means for moving either end of said member separately to collect or refund the coin dependent upon whether or not the call is successful.

3. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin thereinbefore a call can be initiated, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of a call is determined, and a magnet energized by the removal of the re ceiver to place said last means in operative position to hold said coin.

4. In a telephone system, the combination with a callin telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collectingdevice associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein before a call can be initiated, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of a call is determined, a magnet ener ized upon the removal of the receiver to place said last means in operative position and a second magnet controllable'by a called subscriber to collect a suspended coin.

5. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein before a call can be initiated, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the suc cessful issue of a call is determined, a magnet energized upon the removal of the receiver to place said last means in operative position, a second magnet controllable by a called subscriber to collect a suspended coin, and a third magnet energized upon the replacement of the receiver on the calling line to refund an uncollected coin.

6. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein before a call can be initiated, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the suc cessful issue of a call is determined, a mag net energized upon the removal of the receiver to place said last means in operative position, a second magnet controllable by a called subscriber to collect a suspended coin, and a third magnet energized upon the replacement of the receiver on the calling line to render said coin suspending means again inoperative and to refund an uncollected coin. Y

7. In telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein before a call can be initiated, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of a call is determined, a magnet energized upon the removal of the receiver to place said last means in operative position, and a magnet energized upon the A z 4 replacement of the receiver on the calling line to refund a suspended coin.

8. In an automatic telephone system, a subscribers station comprising talking instrumentalities, an impulse sender, and a pay station device, said impulse sender being normally inoperative, means controlled by the deposit of a coin in said device for rendering said sender operative whereby the same may be manipulated to establish a connection, means rendered effective upon the removal of the receiver for holding the deposited coin in suspension, and means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for collecting the deposited coin.

9. In an automatic telephone system, a subscribers station comprising talking instrumentalities, an impulse sender, and a paystation device, said impulse sender being normally inoperative, means controlled by the deposit of a coin in said device for rendering said sender operative whereby the same may be manipulated to establish a connection, means rendered effective upon the removal of the receiver for holding the deposited coin in suspension, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for collecting the deposited coin, and means operative in case the calling subscriber replaces his receiver before the called subscriber responds for refunding said coin.

10. In a telephone system, a subscribers station comprising a paystation device, a coin chute in said device having collect and refund branches, said branches being normally closed and normally open, respectively, means requiring the deposit of a coin in said chute before a call can be initiated, and electromagnetic means controlled by the subscriber thereat in making a call for closing the said refund branch.

11. In a telephone system, a subscribers station comprising a paystation device, a coin chute in said device having collect and refund branches, said branches being normally closed and normally open, respectively, means requiring the deposit of a coin in said chute before a call can be initiated, electromagnetic means controlled by the subscriber thereat in making a call for closing the said refund branch, means for completing a connection to a called line and means controlled by the called subscriber for opening the said collect branch.

12. In a telephone system, a subscribers station comprising a paystation device, a coin chute in said device having collect and refund branches, said branches being normally closed and normally open, respectively, means controlled by the subscriber thereat in making a call for closing the said refund branch, mechanism for completing a-connection to a called line, said mechanism normally irresponsive to the calling subscriber', and means controlled by the deposit of a coin in said device to enable the calling subscriber tocontrol said mechanism.

13. In a telephone system, a subscribers station comprising a paystation device, a coin chute in said device having collect and refund branches, said branches being normally closed and normally open respectively, means controlled by the subscriber thereat in making a call for closing the said refund branch, mechanism for completing a connection to a called line, said mechanism normally irresponsive to the calling subscriber, means controlled by the deposit of a coin in said device to enable the calling subscriber to control said mechanism, and means controlled by the called subscriber for opening said collect branch to collect the said coin.

14. In a telephone system, the combination With a calling telephone line and automatic exchange equipment for extending a con nection to a called line, of a coin collecting dev'ce associated with thesubstation on the calling line, a coin chute extending through said device and terminating in a refund slot, means for blocking only said refund slot upon the initiation of a call, and means recpiiring the deposit of a coin therein before the exchange equipment can be operated.

15. In a telephone system,the combination With a calling telephone line and automatic exchange equipment for extending a connection to a called line, of a coin collecting devirc associated With the substation on the calling line, a coin chute extendin through said device and terminating in a rerund slot, means for blocking only said refund slot upon the initiation of a call, means requiring the deposit of a coin therein before the exchange equipment can be operated, a branch of said chute extending to a cash box and means for diverting a deposited coin into said branch if the call is successful.

16. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephoneline and automatic exchange equipment for extending a connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated Withthe substation on the calling line, a coin chute extending through said device and terminating in a refund slot, means for blocking only said refund slot upon the initiation of a call, means requiring the deposit of a coin therein before the exchange equipment can be operated, a branch of said chute extending to a cash box, means for diverting a deposited C0111 into said branch if the call is successful, and means for removing said blocking means to refund the coin if the call is unsuccessful.

17. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein upon the initiation of a call, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of the call is determined, means for then automatically releasing said coin and means for automatically refunding a ful issue of the call is determined, coin refunding and connection releasing means both controlled by the receiver hook at the calling substation, and automatic means for preventing the subscriber from refunding the coin Without releasing the connection by manipulating the receiver hook.

19. In a telephone system, the combination With a calling telephone line and auto-' matic exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated With the substation on the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin before the said equipment can be operated, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of the call is determined, means for refunding thesuspended coin if the receiver is replaced before the called subscriber responds, means for releasing the connection also controlled by the replacement of the receiver, said last means requiring an appreciable time in Which to operate, means for delaying the refunding of the coin and for retaining thesame if the receiver is removed again before the connection is released, and means controlled by the retention of the coin for subsequently releasing the connection.

20. In a telephone system, a line extending to a central exchange, a plurality of stations on said line, a measured service device at each station including a pair of magnets for controlling the operation thereof, means controlled by one magnet of each pair for closing a talking bridge across the line at the associated station, and means controlled by the other magnets of said pairs for pre venting the operation of the associated first magnets when the line is in use.

21. In a telephone system, a line extending to a central exchange, automatic switches at the exchange, a station on salt line, a measured service device at said station, a high resistance controlling magnet for said device in bridge of the line, sec ond station includin low resistance bridge of the line, said second bridge'preventing the energization of said magnet, means for interrupting said second bridge to operate said switches, and means for preventing said magnet from energizing during said interruptions, said last means comprising a condenser in bridge of the line anda secondtion having a high resistance controlling magnet in bridge of the line, said magnet inoperative due to the effect of said first bridge, and means associated with said magnet for automatically opening the circuit thereof whenever the said first bridge is interruptedby the operation of said calling device.

23. In a telephone system, a line extending to a central exchange, automatic switches at the exchange, a station on said line, a low resistance bridge at said station including a calling device for producing interruptions in the bridge to operate said switches, a second station on said line, a measured service device at said second station having a high resistance controlling magnet in bridge of the line, said magnet inoperative due to the effect of said first bridge, a talking bridge at said second station closed upon the energization of said magnet, and means associated with said magnet for automatically opening the circuit thereof whenever the said first bridge is interrupted by the operation of said call-v ing device to prevent the closure of said talking bridge.

2a. In a telephone system, a line extending to a central exchange, automatic switches at the exchange, a station on said line, a low resistance bridge at said station including a calling device for producing interruptions in the bridge to operate said switches, a second station on said line, a coin collecting device at said second station having a high resistance controlling magnet in bridge of the line, said ri'agne-t'inoperative due to the effect of said first bridge, coin disposing mechanism under control of said magnet, and means associated with said magnet for automatically opening the circuit thereof whenever the said first bridge is interrupted by. the operation of said calling device.

25. In a telephone system, a line extending to a central exchange, a plurality of stations on said line, automaticswitches at the exchange for extending said line to a called line, a calling device at each station for interrupting the line circuit to operate said switches, a measured service devicev at each station having a controlling magnet, means for bridging the associated magnet across the line upon the removal of the receiver at any station, means controlled by each magnet for substituting a low resistance talking bridge across the line, said magnets being of high resistance whereby if a talking bridge is already completed a magnet subsequently bridged across the line will not be energized, and automatic means for opening the circuit of a magnet subsequently bridged across the line to prevent its energization during interruptions of the line circuit by a calling device at another station.

26. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein upon the initiation of a call, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of the call is determined, a magnet in circuit with the line and operable thereover to dispose of a suspended coin, and means for automatically removing said magnet from the line circuit during conversation.

27. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated withv the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein upon the initiation of a call, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of the call is determined, a magnet in circuit with the line and operable thereover to dispose of a suspended coin, and mechanism controlled by the coin for removing said magnet from the line circuit when the coin is disposed of.

28. In a telephone system, the combination with a calling telephone line and exchange equipment for extending connection to a called line, of a coin collecting device associated with the calling line including means requiring the deposit of a coin therein upon the initiation of a call, means for holding a deposited coin in suspension until the successful issue of the call is determined, a magnet in circuit with the line and operable there over upon the response of the" 

